Over 80 Blue Mountains businesses and Low Carbon Living supporters will gather at Scenic World, Katoomba, on 22 March 2018 for the Low Carbon Living national program launch.

The program encourages business operators and community organisations in tourism hotspots such as the Southern Highlands and the Hunter Valley to lower their carbon footprint by reducing waste, energy consumption and water use.

Other regions well positioned to quickly benefit from Low Carbon Living include the Margaret River- Busselton region, Byron Bay, Central Australia and Kangaroo Island.

Ecotourism Australia is supporting the initiative, together with UNSW’s Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living.

Guest speakers at the 22 March launch include Claire Ellis from Ecotourism Australia, and representatives from Low Carbon Living, Blue Mountains and from Low Carbon Living, Southern Highlands.

“We’re doing this to support communities, businesses and individuals who want to take positive steps to address climate change,” said Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute (BMWHI) executive director Dr John Merson.

When BMWHI piloted the program in the Blue Mountains some years ago, 30 businesses were on board. BMWHI rated each business on its waste output and energy and water use, and provided recommendations on how to lower an operator's carbon footprint.

“We now have over 80 businesses involved in Low Carbon Living, Blue Mountains, and we expect the initiative will be equally successful in the Southern Highlands and other regions,” Dr Merson said.

“This program empowers everyone to address climate change by making positive decisions about their use of resources, where they shop and what services they support.”

Research undertaken as part of the LCL program shows 82% of visitors and 91% of residents would choose a local business that has made an effort to reduce its carbon footprint.

The research also found 50% of visitors would choose a low carbon destination over one not known for reducing its carbon impact.

Media, Low Carbon Living members and supporters, family and friends are welcome to attend this free event. Pleaseregister here.